Rapid and continuous analyte processing in droplet microfluidic devices

ABSTRACT

The compositions and methods described herein are designed to introduce functionalized microparticles into droplets that can be manipulated in microfluidic devices by fields, including electric (dielectrophoretic) or magnetic fields, and extracted by splitting a droplet to separate the portion of the droplet that contains the majority of the microparticles from the part that is largely devoid of the microparticles. Within the device, channels are variously configured at Y- or T junctions that facilitate continuous, serial isolation and dilution of analytes in solution. The devices can be limited in the sense that they can be designed to output purified analytes that are then further analyzed in separate machines or they can include additional channels through which purified analytes can be further processed and analyzed.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 61/240,188, filed Sep. 4, 2009, the entirecontent of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support awarded by the U.S.Department of Energy under Grant No. ER46323 and the National ScienceFoundation under Grant No. NSF-DMR-0606282. The government has certainrights in this invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to microfluidic devices and, more particularly,to microfluidic devices that include a field generator to manipulatetagged analytes, including nucleic acids in single cells to generatecDNA libraries. The devices can support rapid, continuous processing ofanalytes.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in soft-lithography and microfluidics techniques havebrought the idea of lab-on-a-chip technology to the forefront of modernchemical and biomedical research (McDonald et al., Electrophoresis,21(1):27-40, 2000).

Microfluidics improves standard laboratory protocols insofar as itallows for the manipulation of volumes on the order of picoliters, andthis creates a higher degree of control and minimizes the use of costlyor toxic reagents. Of particular interest has been the application ofdroplet or digital microfluidics, which employs the use of dropletformation and manipulation in microfluidics devices (Huebner et al., Labon a Chip, 8:1244-1254, 2008; The et al., Lab on a Chip, 8:198-220,2008). Droplet formation allows for the encapsulation and thus isolationof specific solutes, which greatly reduces the potential for mixing ordispersion caused by velocity gradients within the channel. Also, withhigh monodispersity, droplet microfluidics permits precise fusion ofvarious solutions at specific ratios using electric fields and dropletfrequency synchronization (Ahn et al., Applied Physics Letters,88(26):265106, 2006). This level of precise control and efficiency hasmade droplet microfluidics devices an ideal platform for geneticanalyses that would otherwise require much more costly and timeconsuming procedures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based, in part, on techniques we developed toconcentrate and extract analytes using functionalized particles indroplet microfluidic devices in a continuous fashion. These methods, andthe devices, compositions, and kits assembled for carrying them out,allow specific analytes to be extracted from complex mixtures insideindividual droplets, and subsequent analysis is facilitated bycontinuous, rapid movement of the droplets through microfluidic devices.The extraction is facilitated by the formation of a complex between theanalyte and a functionalized particle such as a microsphere or nanotubeassembly that carries a tag that specifically binds the analyte. Theparticle is, furthermore, responsive to a field within the device (e.g.,a magnetic or electric field). For example, complexes that includemagnetized microspheres or nanotubes can be directed to one side of adroplet or another with a magnet (e.g., an embedded rare-earth magnet).Alternatively, complexes having dielectric particles can be marginalizedusing a dielectrophoretic force. Thus, the field generator can be anelectrode emitting an oscillating electric field gradient and thefunctionalized particle can include a dielectric microsphere or nanotubeassembly. In other embodiments, the field generator can be a focusedlight or laser beam. In that case, the functionalized particle caninclude a dielectric microsphere or nanotube assembly. To reflect thepresence of a tag (which we may also refer to as an analyte-specificmoiety) as well as the responsiveness to a field, we may refer to thefunctionalized particle as a field-responsive tag.

The microfluidic devices include channels through which a plurality ofdroplets may travel; one or more field generators that attract or repelcomplexes within the droplets; and, optionally, one or more pairs ofelectrodes that destabilize the droplets and thereby facilitate theircoalescence. More specifically, the devices include a series ofcontiguous channels that intersect at certain points with one another atvariously shaped junctions (e.g., at T-, W-, X-, or Y-shaped junctions)and a field generator such as a rare-earth magnet. The field generation(e.g., magnet) can be positioned such that it generates a fieldperpendicular to or parallel to a channel and the fluid flow within it.Exemplary arrangements of channels, with the magnetic moment appliedperpendicular to and parallel to the fluid flow direction are shown inFIGS. 1A-1D, and a series of photomicrographs showing bead-containingdroplets moving through devices configured in these ways are shown inFIGS. 8 and 9.

At some points in the device, the channels may be contiguous with oneanother, with no significant structural difference between the terminalsegment of one channel and the initial segment of the next. At otherpoints in the device, the channels may form a junction to allow forcontinuous, serial separation and dilution of analytes. For example, afirst channel may divide into two; into a second channel and a thirdchannel, thereby forming a Y- or T-shaped junction. In otherembodiments, a first channel may divide into more than two channels(e.g., three, four, five, or more channels). Where a droplet travelingthrough the first channel confronts a junction, it may be partitionedsuch that a portion of the droplet proceeds down each newly confrontedchannel. For example, at a Y-shaped junction, a portion of the dropletcan proceed through the second channel and the remainder of the dropletcan proceed down the third channel. At a W-shaped junction, a portion ofthe droplet can proceed through each of three channels, as shown in FIG.3, where the droplet passes between a pair of field generators adjacentthe channel. Where the analyte has been marginalized within the dropletdue to association with a field-responsive tag, the analyte becomes moreconcentrated in the channel receiving the portion of the droplet havingthe majority of the analyte. Junctions (e.g., T- and X-shaped junctions)are also useful in merging droplets. A droplet traveling through a firstchannel and a droplet traveling through a second channel can, uponpassing through a junction and entering a third channel, coalesce in thethird channel. As noted, the junctions within the present devices can bevariously shaped and include junctions in a T-, W-, X-, or Y-shape.Generally, the junctions unite three or more channels, with junctionssuch as the W- and Y-shaped junctions illustrated herein being useful insplitting droplets and junctions such as T- and X-shaped junctions beinguseful in coalescing droplets and encapsulating cells or other analytes.Where the droplet traveling through the first channel includes ananalyte and the droplet traveling through the second channel includes ananalyte-free solution (e.g., a buffer), the analyte is diluted when thedroplets coalesce. The angles of the channels forming a junction canvary and, as indicated, where right angles are formed, the junction canassume a common X- or T-shape. The diameter of the channels extendingfrom a junction can also either be the same or different. In particular,the channels into which a droplet is split can be the same size ordifferent (e.g., the channel receiving the portion of the droplet thatcarries the majority of the analyte can be smaller than the channel thatreceives the remainder of the droplet). When expressed as a ratio, thediameter of a first channel relative to the diameter of a second channelcan be at least or about 10:1 to about 1:1 (e.g., 10:2, 10:3.33 or10:5). The first channel can be a channel prior to a junction and thesecond channel can be a channel past a junction. Alternatively, thefirst and second channels can be channels past the junction. Thedetermination of “prior to” and “past” can be determined by thedirection of fluid flow and/or the movement of a droplet through thedevice.

Thus, in one aspect, the invention features microfluidic devices thatinclude (a) a substrate comprising a series of contiguous channels and(b) a field generator, wherein the series of contiguous channelsincludes a first channel having an initial segment configured to receivea droplet comprising an analyte that is bound to a functionalizedparticle (the tagged droplet), a middle segment along which the taggeddroplet travels, and a terminal segment that bifurcates into a pluralityof channels (e.g., into a second channel and a third channel). The fieldgenerator is positioned adjacent to the first channel (e.g., adjacent tothe middle segment of the first channel and/or just prior to thejunction) and marginalizes the analyte toward a side of the taggeddroplet (either toward or away from the field generator) such that, uponreaching the junction (e.g., the point where the first channelbifurcates), a portion of the tagged droplet that includes the majorityof the analyte enters the second channel and the remainder of the taggeddroplet enters the third channel, thereby producing, in the secondchannel, a smaller droplet that contains the majority of the analytewhile excluding at least some of the complex mixture. On occasion, wemay refer to the microfluidic devices described herein more simply as“chips.”

Suitable substrates will be known to those of ordinary skill in the artand include silicon, polydimethylsiloxane, glass, and molded plastic(e.g., poly(styrene)).

The inventions described herein can be used in any instance where it isdesirable to extract an analyte from a complex mixture (e.g., a celllysate or an environmental sample) into a cleaner environment forprocessing and analysis. The microfluidic devices can be used, forexample, to extract any biomolecule for which a functionalized particlecan be created. While the process may be limited to extraction, themicrofluidic devices can be configured such that an extracted analyte isfurther processed within the device. Moreover, the further processingcan include multiple steps. For example, a single droplet microfluidicdevice can be used to extract, amplify, and quantitate the amount of aparticular nucleic acid within a biological cell. While analytes aredescribed further below, we note in the context of this example that thenucleic acid can be DNA or RNA (e.g., mRNA or microRNA) that naturallyexists within a cell (e.g., a cancerous cell) or DNA or RNA that isintroduced into a cell (e.g., a transgene or oligonucleotide, includingan antisense oligonucleotide or an oligonucleotide that facilitates RNAi(e.g., an siRNA)).

The microfluidic devices per se can be fabricated using standardsoft-lithography techniques. Exemplary fabrication processes aredescribed further below and can be used in making the devices of thepresent invention. One of ordinary skill in the art will be familiarwith fabrication methods and further understand that the precisegeometry of the devices described herein can vary. For example, thedevices can include one or a plurality of field generators. For example,one field generator (e.g., a magnet) can be positioned adjacent to eachchannel in which an analyte-containing droplet travels before beingsplit in two. Where there are one, two, three, or four (or more)channels, there can be one, two, three, or four (or more) correspondingfield generators. Alternatively, one, two, three, or four (or more)channels can be arranged so that each channel passes the same fieldgenerator. The process of marginalizing a complex (comprising afunctionalized microparticle and an analyte), splitting a dropletcomprising the marginalized analyte, and re-diluting the split dropletcan be repeated as many times as necessary for sufficient bufferexchange. We anticipate diluting an analyte by a factor of at least orabout 5-15 at each pass. By way of illustration, if the original dropletis about 150 μm in diameter, and a 10 μm droplet is extracted from theoriginal droplet, the dilution factor is 15.

The key events that can occur within the present devices include dropletplug formation (e.g., the formation of an “original” or unreacteddroplet), droplet plug split, and droplet coalescence. As noted,droplets containing magnetic beads can be split into channels of unequalwidths or diameters. When there is no magnet embedded, the beads show nobias to either the larger or the smaller diameter channel. In contrast,in the presence of a magnetic field, the beads are strongly attracted tothe magnet and thus split into the smaller diameter channel. The use oftwo field generators can propel a tagged analyte toward the center ofdroplet, in which case it may enter a central passage at a radialdivision, such as the W-shaped junction illustrated in FIG. 3.

The device per se, any of the peripheral components that control theflow of liquids through the device, and/or any of the solutions orreagents useful with the device (e.g., functionalized particles,buffers, aqueous solutions, and sheath liquids) can be variouslypackaged, together with instructions for use, as a kit. Kits comprisingone or more of the compositions described herein are within the scope ofthe present invention, as are the processes or methods for making thepresent devices and analyzing an analyte using them.

The present compositions and methods may provide several advantages overcurrent microfluidic technologies. In addition to the advantagesmentioned above, the microchips may be reusable, as the analytes andother materials (e.g., buffers and reagents) are encapsulated indroplets throughout processing. The reactions can also be performed insequence at high throughputs ranging from about 60-30,000 droplets perminute or more (depending on the flow velocity). Thus, even if theentire reaction sequence takes hours, a stream of finished product willbecome available for continuous analysis, at the initial droplet rate,as soon as the first droplet has navigated the device. Where the outputwill be fed into another device (e.g., a next generation sequencer), itis possible to perform a quality control check on a collection ofdroplets to ensure that the reactions have been performed properlybefore committing to the next analytical device. Our use of the dropletformat further reduces contamination (by the physical and chemicalisolation of the droplets from each other and the walls of the devices)and allows intricate manipulation and easy retrieval without any movingparts or elaborate automation. In combination with establishedreactions, our methods reliably produce cDNA libraries from singlecells, and the end product of our workflow can be a re-usable emulsionin which each droplet contains the whole cDNA collection of a singlecell bound to functionalized (e.g., magnetic) particles.

Our methods for generating single-cell cDNA libraries in droplets allowsa high throughput approach to single cell genomic research. The presentdevices can be configured to generate single cell libraries bypropelling droplets originally filled with a single cell throughchannels in which the cells are first lysed and then exposed to enzymesand other reagents to reverse transcribe cDNA from mRNA. The cDNA canthen be amplified by propelling the droplets through a series oftemperature-variant zones and adding, by way of the droplet merger anddivision techniques described herein, enzymes and other reagents thatmediate PCR (the polymerase chain reaction). The cDNA can be releasedfrom the magnetic particles after a given number (e.g., 2-10) PCRcycles, and the cDNA library can be recovered by simply separating themagnetic beads from the amplified CAN. The separation step regeneratesthe initial cDNA library, which can be reused. The cDNA library, whetherin a microfluidic device or a more conventional PCR machine, can then bequantitated to determine the expression level(s) of (a) specific gene(s)of interest. As individual droplet can be recovered, these droplets canbe sequentially stored in an array before performing quantitative-PCR.

The present methods are amenable to use with rare cells, including thosethat lack specific surface markers. One example is the circulating tumorcells (CTCs) discussed in Example 3. With the present methods, one cancreate single cell cNDA libraries of already enriched cells and thensort the droplets by the expression of a specific CTC marker gene asmeasured by PCR. After having collected enough CTCs, global geneexpression methods can be applied (e.g., a gene chip or next generationsequencing).

Despite its success, current droplet microfluidics suffer from aninability to concentrate target molecules or to integrate washing stepsthat do not dilute the target molecules. Indeed, every reaction stepadds volume to the droplets. Using the present devices, one can achieveconcentrating-washing steps by encapsulating functionalizedmicroparticles and manipulating them with external fields.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D constitute a panel of drawings and photomicrographsillustrating an exemplary arrangement of channels within a device of thepresent invention. In FIG. 1A, droplets are illustrated moving along afirst channel, toward and through a Y-shaped junction, into second andthird channels. The magnetic moment is perpendicular to the input flowdirection in FIG. 1A. The gradient of the magnetic field strength pullsthe magnetic beads down, and they form chains along the field lines. Thecompetitive forces lead to magnetic bead arrangements that standsubstantially upright, as illustrated in the schematic of FIG. 1A andshown in the photomicrograph of FIG. 1B. The magnetic moment can bearranged parallel to the input flow direction, in which case themagnetic beads are pulled down and align to form chains along the fieldlines (see the schematic of FIG. 1C and the photomicrograph of FIG. 1D).The input channel was 50 μm wide and 25 μm high.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate device parameter ranges. FIG. 2A is aschematic drawing of a first channel, a Y-shaped junction, and thesecond and third channels that form past the junction. “a” representswaste channel diameter; “b” represents harvesting channel diameter; “c”represents the main (or “first”) channel diameter; “d” representsdroplet frequency; and “v” represents flow velocity. Illustrative rangesfor these parameters are listed in the Table of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an alternative arrangement ofchannels within a microfluidic device of the invention. Such anarrangement will be advantageous when separating several species (inthis case three) that are marginalized into different regions of thedroplet. This figure only shows the magnetic particles that aremarginalized into the middle.

FIG. 4 is a series of panels illustrating the formation of monodispersedroplets containing magnetic beads by means of a microfluidics deviceemploying a flow focusing geometry.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are graphs illustrating the frequency of the numberof beads per droplet produced under the conditions of Example 2.

FIG. 6 is a schematic workflow for the creation of single cell cDNAlibraries in droplets. In (1), single cells are co-encapsulated indroplets with heat activated cell lysis buffer (ZYGEM) and Oligo (dT)25magnetic microbeads. In (2), cell lysis is achieved (5 minutes at 75°C.). In (3), the droplets are reinjected into a “chip” (a microfluidicdevice) to be combined with washing buffer by electrocoalescence. In(4), the magnetic beads are extracted and concentrated into a smallerdroplet. Steps (3) and (4) are repeated to provide washing and to changebuffers for reverse transcription.

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustrating the use of cDNA libraries indroplets. The striped spheres represent the single cell cDNA library. Inthe next droplet, a PCR amplification releases free DNA copies. Thebeads are then separated from the DNA to recover the original libraryand a droplet filled with DNA for further analysis. This method can beused to probe a series of single genes or group of genes.

FIG. 8 is a series of photomicrographs showing bead-containing dropletsmoving through a microfluidic device with a magnet arranged as shown inFIG. 1A. The center of the magnet is placed slightly behind the junctionpoint. The width of the input channel is 50 μm, and the height of thechannel is 25 μm. The droplets contained approximately 100 magneticbeads.

FIG. 9 is a series of photomicrographs showing bead-containing dropletsmoving through a microfluidic device with a magnet arranged as shown inFIG. 1C. The center of the magnet is placed slightly behind the junctionpoint. The width of the input channel is 50 μm, and the height of thechannel is 25 μm. The droplets contained approximately 100 magneticbeads.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of droplet generation, which can be used witha cell suspension to encapsulate single cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To date, process steps including cell lysis, mRNA extraction, and cDNAcreation and amplification with RT-PCR have been successfully completedon microfluidics devices (Morton et al., Lab on a Chip, 8(9):1448-1453,2008; Beer et al., Analytical Chemistry, 80(6):1854-1858, 2008; Marcuset al., Analytical Chemistry, 78(3):956-958, 2006). However, previousdesigns have either extracted mRNA from several cells continuously orfrom a single cell but not at high enough throughput to address geneexpression in heterogeneous cell populations. Such specificity willbecome increasingly important in understanding gene regulation, celldifferentiation, and the development of disease states.

Recently, a new method for effectively isolating a single cell perdroplet was described (Edd et al., Lab on a Chip, 8(8):1262-1264, 2008),thus eliminating the reliance on careful sample dilutions and Poissondistributions. Such droplets can be used for high throughput geneticstudies by continuously merging them with droplets of other reagents tolyse the cells, collect their genetic material, and amplify the cDNA forfurther sequencing and analysis. To date, however, we are aware of nomethods for reducing the volume of a droplet while maintaining themajority of the genetic material to be analyzed, particularly in devicesthat allow for continuous and rapid analysis of analytes in movingdroplets; in prior methods, the volume has been increased by combiningdroplets containing different reagents and/or the volume has beenreduced in static or surface-bound droplets. This arrangement makes itdifficult to remove any unwanted materials (e.g., cell waste or usedreagents) as the reactions progress on a chip.

In contrast, our methods employ functionalized particles to marginalizean analyte (e.g., genetic material) within a droplet that is thensubsequently divided (e.g., by encountering a junction such as a Yjunction) so the majority of the analyte becomes contained in one of thenewly formed drops (for marginalization of magnetic beads, see Wang etal., Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering, 17(10):2148-2156,2007). As noted, droplets continuously and rapidly pass through thechanneled devices described herein. The concentration of the analyte isthen, after passing into a second channel, higher in the newly formeddrop, and we may then refer to the analyte as having been isolated,purified, or extracted, and subsequent rounds of marginalization anddivision can produce droplets in which the analyte is further isolated,purified, or extracted. By dividing droplets and merging the resultingdroplets with other droplets (e.g., droplets that are analyte-free butcontain, for example, a buffer or reagent), our processes allowmulti-step reactions to be carried out continuously and iterativelywithin a single microfluidic device. This results in effective washingand efficient reactions while maintaining a high level of control overthe material being analyzed and minimizing changes in droplet volume.

With the use of functionalized particles, it is possible to bind avariety of types of analytes, including cellular mRNA. The mRNA can bereverse transcribed to generate cDNA that can then be amplified andquantitated (Chien-Ju Liu et al., Biomedical Microdevices, 11(2):11,2008).

The timing of the entry of various droplets into the device, includingthe droplets that originally carry the analyte, can be controlled.Movement of the droplets within the device can vary depending on flowrate and traveling distance.

Analytes and Applications:

In one embodiment, the present compositions and methods can be used toextract, process, and analyze biomolecules from single cells. Morespecifically, the devices can intake, in series, hundreds of cells persecond, which enables profiling of gene expression in heterogeneous cellpopulations as well as analysis of gene expression over time inheterogeneous or homogenous cells (e.g., in the course of adevelopmental process or in response to an intracellular orextracellular signal).

In particular, the present devices can be used to analyze biomolecules,including nucleic acids and proteins, from a single cell. Moreover, thedevices can process at high throughput (as noted above, processingseveral hundred cells per second and moving droplets with cell lysatesand reagents past a marker point at the rate of hundreds to thousands ofcells (or droplets) per second). As a result, we can quickly establishsingle cell genetic profiles from heterogeneous cell populations thatcan be used, for example, in prognostic or diagnostic tests. Forexample, in a diagnostic test, one could obtain cells from a patient anddetermine whether those cells express a cancer-related gene. One couldalso analyze the level of expression in various circumstances (e.g.,after the patient and/or the cells have been exposed to a therapeuticagent). The cells can be obtained by any conventional method (e.g., froma biopsy, blood sample, urine sample, and the like) and can beconsidered healthy or diseased (e.g., malignant) or mature or immature.For example, the present compositions and methods can be used to analyzestem cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells) or precursor cells at anystage of differentiation and/or in the context of any therapeuticapproach. Differentiated cells can also be assessed, as can cells thatare affected by a disease or disorder (e.g., malignant cells, atrophiedcells, metastasizing cells, infected cells, or cells from inflamedtissue).

Cells amenable to the present methods include cells obtained frommulticellular organisms (including plants (e.g., a crop plant such ascorn, rice, wheat, barley, or rye) and animals (e.g., a mammal,including a human)) as well as unicellular organisms (includingbacteria, yeast, and fungi) and viruses. Because the cells to beanalyzed can be obtained from a single human subject or “patient,” thepresent compositions and methods can be used in “personalized” medicine.Because unicellular organisms can also be assessed, the present methodsare also applicable to methods of analyzing samples from environmental,agricultural, or industrial settings. Because viral genomes can also beassessed, the present methods are useful in essentially any analysis ofa virion.

Single cell mRNA analysis is likely to become increasingly important asa tool for understanding gene regulation, cellular differentiation, andthe development of disease states. For example, stem cell-basedtechnologies may rely on understanding how and when (e.g., under whatenvironmental circumstances) a stem cell differentiates. Thesedeterminations can be difficult to make using populations of cells, asgene expression within the population may be heterogeneous. Global geneexpression analysis data is often limited because it represents theaverage over heterogeneous cell populations. Single cell gene expressionanalysis can help determine not only the degree of heterogeneity in cellpopulations (e.g., brain tissue and tumors) but also the sequence ofgene regulation events during stem cell differentiation. Our methods,using droplet microfluidic technology, can be used as high throughputmethods for the analysis of gene expression at the single cell level.

While a single analyte can be analyzed, the invention is not so limited.A number of analytes (e.g., 1-10) can be analyzed concurrently bydetecting a probe (e.g., a fluorescent probe) associated with eachanalyte.

The term “analyte” is used herein in the conventional sense to refer toa substance that is undergoing analysis. The analyte can be a substancefound in nature (e.g., a cellular component such as a nucleic acid,protein, fat, or sugar) or a synthetic compound (e.g., a polymer or anorganic or inorganic small molecule used as a pharmaceutical, industrialreagent, synthetic sweetener, or fertilizer).

Alternatively, the output of the device could be the input for a nextgeneration sequencer or other machine.

Encapsulation:

Depending on the nature of the analyte, it can be processed in anaqueous droplet (in which case it would be immersed (e.g., completelyimmersed) in a non-aqueous sheath liquid) or a non-aqueous droplet (inwhich case it would be immersed (e.g., completely immersed) in anaqueous sheath liquid). Thus, in the devices of the invention, one ormore of the droplets can be aqueous or comprise an aqueous solution andone or more of the channels can contain a non-aqueous sheath fluid(e.g., a fluorocarbon oil carrier). In either event, the droplets can bewell defined in volumes appropriate for the reactions scheduled to occurwithin the device.

A suitable sheath liquid is a fluorinated oil/surfactant mixture (Holtzeet al., Lab on a Chip 8(10):1632-1639, 2008 (Raindance Technologies,MA)), which provides excellent drop stability against accidentalcoalescence and an inert inner droplet surface provided by the PEG blockof the surfactant.

Where the analyte is on or within a biological cell, single cells can beencapsulated into aqueous droplets. This step can be performed using themethods described by Weitz and Toner (Lab on a Chip 8(8):1262-1264,2008) to help overcome stochastic cell loading and increase thelikelihood that there is only a single cell in the majority of droplets.More specifically, a cell suspension is guided through a highaspect-ratio microchannel, thereby forcing the cells to flowsingle-file. As the microchannel terminates, the cells are incorporatedinto picoliter droplets (approximately 15 pl, corresponding to a cellconcentration of 6×10⁷ cells/ml). See FIG. 10. The encapsulation processcan be facilitated by including a step to help prevent settling (seeCooper and Lee, Lab on a Chip, 2007).

A flow focusing droplet generator can be used to help ensure thegeneration of monodisperse droplets at very high throughput and in avery robust manner. In this configuration, a liquid flows in a centralchannel while a second immiscible liquid flows into the two outsidechannels. The two liquid phases are then forced to flow through a smallorifice (nozzle) that is located downstream of the three channels. Theouter fluid exerts pressure and viscous stresses that force the innerfluid into a narrow thread, which then breaks inside or downstream ofthe orifice into droplets. The droplet size is mainly controlled by thedimensions of the nozzle and the flow rates of the liquids.

To help minimize sedimentation of cells (or other analytes) prior tointroduction into the present device, one can minimize the length of theintroductory tubing and/or its complexity (i.e., the complexity of itsshape). Short, straight tubing is best. One can also use a cell stirringsystem to help minimize sedimentation.

In another “introduction” event, surfactant stabilized aqueous dropletsare reinserted into a microfluidic device. See also Baret et al., Lab ona Chip, 2009.

Lysis:

Cell lysis can be achieved (where the sample comprises a cell; theinvention is not so limited) by laser techniques, although these mayslow the rate of throughput. Where certain cells (e.g., bacterial cells)are encapsulated and analyzed, they may be lysed with heat treatmentalone. Lysis can also be induced by combining the cell-containingdroplets with approximately 3 nl (or a droplet of 150 μm diameter) oflysis buffer. A number of buffers would be suitable (e.g., 100 mMTris-HCl, pH 7.5, 500 mM LiCl, 10 mM EDTA, 1% LiDS, 5 mM dithiothreitol(DTT)). Lysis can also be facilitated using an enzyme-based solutionsuch as that developed by Zygem (Hamilton, New Zealand). This methodrelies on a mix of heat-activated proteases. Preferably, after lysis,the analyte concentration (e.g., genomic DNA concentration) is below 1mg/ml. After the cell lyses and the cell content solubilizes, genomicDNA de-condenses and will increase the droplet viscosity, which mayinterfere with the solubilization and mRNA extraction efficiency. Afterdroplet fusion, the larger droplets can be guided through zig-zagchannels to ensure mixing and homogenizing of the cell content.Generally, zig-zag channels can be included wherever one wishes to morethoroughly mix the contents of a droplet. If droplet viscosity becomes aproblem (clogging, inability to mix and homogenize) DNase I can beincluded to cut the genomic DNA into smaller fractions.

Two parameters can be used to optimize the conditions of cell lysisinside droplets: (1) cell lysis efficiency and (2) emulsion stabilityduring treatment and upon re-injection. Cell lysis efficiency can becharacterized by using different fluorescent markers like calcein-AMthat stains the cell cytoplasm, fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin thatstains the plasma membrane, or nucleic acid stains like Syto24. Afterthe lysis steps, one can quantify the lysis efficiency by examining thedroplets under a fluorescent microscope. The stability of the dropletscan be characterized by re-injecting them in a wide and shallow channel,so they are squeezed in a pancake-like shape. Simple algorithmsdeveloped under ImageJ can be used to follow the droplet size during thelysis and quantify droplet coalescence.

To verify the lysis process, DNA-binding fluorescent dyes (such as SYBRgold or SYBR green (Invitrogen)) can be included in the lysis buffer.Where lysis occurs, DNA is typically evenly distributed throughout thedroplet.

Functionalized Particles:

The functionalized particles useful in the present inventionspecifically bind the analyte and respond to a field generated withinthe device. Where the analyte is a nucleic acid sequence, thefunctionalized particle can include, as an analyte-specific moiety ortag, a nucleotide sequence that is sufficiently complementary to thesequence of the analyte to specifically bind the analyte. In otherwords, the analyte and the tag can specifically bind one another throughbase pairing. Where the analyte is an mRNA containing a poly(A) “tail,”the tag can include an olig(dT) sequence. Oligo(dT)₂₅ magnetic beads arecommercially available (Dynabead, Invitrogen). For other analytes, thetag can be a chelator or a protein such as an antibody, ananalyte-binding fragment or variant thereof, or another type of proteinscaffold (e.g., a fibronectin domain).

Based on the bead binding capacity of poly-A mRNA, we estimate requiringapproximately 100 magnetic beads per cell or about 15 pl of washed beads(Dynabeads are washed several times in binding buffer (20 mM Tris-HCl,pH 7.5, 1.0 M LiCl, 2 mM EDTA) before use).

Fusion or Coalescence:

Several strategies can be used to fuse droplets in droplet microfluidicdevices, including those described here (see, e.g., Ahn et al., Appl.Phys. Lett. 88(26): 264105, 2006, and Christopher et al, Lab on a Chip9(8):1102-1109, 2009). In the fusion step, two streams of droplets arecombined or merge, preferably in a synchronized manner, and fusionoccurs by electrocoalescence. When the two droplet streams are combined,the smaller droplet catches up to the bigger droplet until they travelin pairs. After this, the two droplets can be fused by the applicationof an AC electric field of about 100V (500V/m) at 1 kHz. The applieddielectrophoretic force overcomes the activation barrier posed by thetwo surfactant stabilized surfaces. This process ensures that there isno accidental coalescence. Synchronization is achieved by controllingthe velocities of each incoming stream using a pressure system. Thedroplet size is controlled by the dimensions of the drop-formingjunction and is typically in the range of about 1 pL-10 nL (e.g., 10,25, 50, or 100 pL, or 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, or 5.0 nL).

Alternative Configuration to Achieve Encapsulation and Lysis:

An alternative way to encapsulate and lyse cells is to combine threelaminar streams of liquid before droplet formation (see Huebner et al.,Chem. Commun. 12:1218-1220, 2007 and Tice et al., Langmuir19(22):9127-9133, 2003). The middle stream will contain the cells andthe outer two streams contain the lysis buffer. Because flow is laminar,the three streams will not mix (except for diffusion) until encapsulatedinto a droplet. In addition, the lysis buffer can be used to narrow thecell stream and therefore accomplish a high aspect flow dimension thatwill line up the cells.

Exemplary Configurations:

In one aspect, the invention features microfluidic devices that can beused to separate an analyte from a complex mixture and which can includea substrate comprising a series of contiguous channels and a fieldgenerator. The series of contiguous channels can comprise a firstchannel having an initial segment configured to receive a dropletcomprising an analyte that is bound to a functionalized particle (thetagged droplet), a middle segment along which the tagged droplettravels, and a terminal segment that bifurcates into a second channeland a third channel. The field generator is positioned adjacent to thefirst channel (e.g., adjacent to the middle segment of the firstchannel) and marginalizes the analyte toward a side of the taggeddroplet such that, upon reaching the bifurcation, a portion of thetagged droplet that includes the majority of the analyte enters thesecond channel and the remainder of the tagged droplet enters the thirdchannel, thereby producing, in the second channel, a smaller dropletthat contains the majority of the analyte while excluding at least someof the complex mixture. The series of contiguous channels can furtherinclude a fourth channel having an initial segment comprising an openingconfigured to receive a droplet comprising a solution for diluting theanalyte (the dilution droplet), a middle segment along which thedilution droplet travels, and a terminal segment that forms a junctionwith the second channel. In some embodiments, the devices can alsoinclude a series of contiguous channels that further include a fifthchannel having an initial segment extending from the junction of thesecond channel and the fourth channel, the initial segment beingconfigured to receive the smaller droplet from the second channel andthe dilution droplet from the fourth channel; a middle segment alongwhich the smaller droplet and the dilution droplet travel and coalesce(the coalesced droplet) and beside which is positioned a fieldgenerator; and a terminal segment. The fifth channel can form a junctionwith the initial segment of the first channel, and the field generatorcan be positioned beside a segment (e.g., the middle segment) of thefifth channel. This field generator can be the same as the fieldgenerator positioned beside the first channel or it can be a distinctfield generator. The terminal segment of the fifth channel can bifurcateinto a sixth channel and a seventh channel, such that upon reaching thebifurcation, a portion of the coalesced droplet that includes themajority of the analyte enters the sixth channel and the remainder ofthe coalesced droplet enters the seventh channel, thereby producing, inthe sixth channel, a further purified droplet that contains the majorityof the analyte while excluding an additional amount of the complexmixture. The field generator positioned beside the fifth channel can bethe same as the field generator positioned beside the first channel, orit can be a distinct field generator.

The initial or middle segments of any of the channels (e.g., the fifthchannel) can include one or more angular turns to facilitate coalescenceof the smaller droplet and the dilution droplet. A part of a channel(e.g., the fifth channel) can also be positioned next to a pair ofelectrodes capable of supplying an electric field that facilitatescoalescence of the smaller droplet and the dilution droplet.

In another aspect, the invention features microfluidic devices thatinclude a microchannel for encapsulating a single cell comprising ananalyte in a droplet; and a plurality of channels configured to formjunctions (e.g., T-, W-, X-, or Y-shaped junctions) for facilitatingcontinuous, serial separation and dilution of the analyte. As in otherinstances, these devices can include a field generator and one or moreof the other elements or features described herein.

As noted, the invention encompasses compositions and methods foranalyzing analytes (e.g., a nucleic acid such as DNA or RNA) in abiological sample, including a single cell. Thus, the invention featuresmicrofluidic devices configured to perform single cell mRNA analysis,and these devices can include a series of contiguous channels in asubstrate (e.g., an elastomeric material) that define particular zones,as described herein, for analyzing nucleic acids. For example, thedevices can include: (1) a first zone in which single cells are placedin aqueous droplets and lysed, thereby generating a cell lysate; (2) asecond zone in which microparticles functionalized to specifically bindmRNA are added to the cell lysate, thereby generatingmicroparticle-associated mRNA; (3) a third zone in which themicroparticle-associated mRNA is separated from the majority of theremainder of the cell lysate; (4) a fourth zone in which themicroparticle-associated mRNA is reverse transcribed into cDNA; and (5)a fifth zone in which the cDNA is amplified with sequence-specificprimers. The first zone can include an opening for receiving cells in asuspension; a microchannel, extending from the opening, that isconfigured to guide the cells in the suspension into single file; afirst channel, extending from the microchannel, having an initialsegment and a terminal segment, wherein the initial segment, by virtueof being larger than the microchannel, permits each cell to becomeencapsulated in a single aqueous droplet upon emerging from themicrochannel, thereby forming a cell-containing droplet; a secondchannel having an initial segment and a terminal segment, wherein theinitial segment comprises an opening for receiving an aqueous dropletcomprising a lysis buffer and the terminal segment of the second channelmerges with the terminal segment of the first channel to create ajunction; and a third channel extending from the junction of the firstchannel and the second channel, into which the cell-containing dropletand the droplet comprising a lysis buffer enter and coalesce, therebygenerating a droplet comprising a single lysed cell.

The device just described or another other within the invention can alsoinclude at least one pair of electrodes (e.g., a pair of electrodespositioned adjacent to the third channel, wherein the electrodesgenerate an electric field sufficient to destabilize the cell-containingdroplet or the droplet comprising a lysis buffer and thereby facilitatethe coalescence of the droplets).

The corresponding methods of the invention feature methods of analyzingan analyte in a sample by introducing the sample into a microfluidicdevice as described herein. For example, the present methods includemethods of manipulating an analyte within a sample by: providing thesample; encapsulating the sample within a droplet comprising afunctionalized particle, wherein the functionalized particle comprises afield-responsive element and a tag that specifically binds the analyte,thereby generating an analyte-tagged droplet; marginalizing the analyteby exposing the analyte-tagged droplet to a field generator; cleavingthe analyte-tagged droplet so the portion of the tagged droplet thatincludes the majority of the marginalized analyte becomes containedwithin a smaller droplet; and diluting the analyte by fusing the smallerdroplet with a droplet comprising a buffer or reagent, therebygenerating an analyte-diluted droplet. The analyte can be a biomolecule(e.g., a nucleic acid (e.g., a DNA or RNA molecule or sequence,including mRNA or a microRNA), protein, sugar, or fat). The single,lysed biological cell can be prepared by encapsulating the cell in adroplet, thereby generating a cell-containing droplet, and fusing thecell-containing droplet with a droplet comprising a lysis buffer(thereby generating a droplet comprising a single, lysed biologicalcell). The methods can further include the steps of exposing theanalyte-diluted droplet to a field generator, wherein the fieldgenerator marginalizes the analyte toward a side of the analyte-diluteddroplet; and cleaving the analyte-diluted droplet so the portion of thedilution droplet that includes the majority of the analyte becomescontained within a smaller analyte-diluted droplet. One can then furtherassess the analyte in the analyte-diluted droplet by any method known inthe art, including methods that quantitate the analyte. The methods canbe carried out in series, repeating the steps with a second samplecomprising a second single, lysed biological cell. The second cell candiffer from the first cell in that the second cell is moredifferentiated than the first cell or the second cell may have beenexposed to different conditions (e.g., different environmentalconditions) than the first cell. Thus, the present methods are amenableto product testing and the like.

Field Generators:

Electrical or magnetic fields, which physically displace the complexesdescribed herein, can be generated in a variety of ways. For example,one can embed a rare-earth magnet (e.g., a 0.125″ or 0.187″ cube ofNdFeB rare earth permanent magnet (Magcraft, VA)) into the substratematerial. Where the substrate comprises PDMS, movement of the magnetscan be restricted during the formation of the device by placing an ironmetal sheet below the Petri dish containing the silicon wafer and thePDMS. Any of the microfluidic devices of the invention can include, as amagnet as the field generator, in which case the functionalized particlecan include a magnetized microsphere. In other embodiments, the fieldgenerator can be an electrode emitting an oscillating electric fieldgradient and the functionalized particle can include a dielectricmicrosphere. In other embodiments, the field generator can be a focusedlight or laser beam and the functionalized particle can include adielectric microsphere.

Magnets and Magnet Placement:

The magnets can either be permanent or electromagnets. In ourexperiments we used rare earth (NbFeB) magnets of sizes ( 1/16″ or ⅛″ or¼″ square, or ⅛″×⅛″×¼″ or ⅛″×⅛″×½″ or ¼″×¼″×12″ or ¼″×¼″×1″ magnetizedalong the longest dimension). The placement of the magnets should beclose to the splitting junction. From 50 micrometer (channel diameter)to several mm from the channel and the placement of the magnet withrespect to the junction should be in the range of 3 magnet widths beforeand after the junction.

It may be desirable to shield some regions of the microfluidic devicefrom the effects of the field generator. This can be readily achieved byincorporation of a shield (e.g., a shield that suppresses the effect ofthe magnetic field in certain areas of the device). The shield caninclude nickel, iron, copper, or molybdenum. In other embodiments, theshield is mumetal.

Pressure Control:

Flow control can be achieved by alternative approaches. In one, syringepumps (Harvard Instruments, MA) can precisely control the flow rates inthe channels. The disadvantage of this approach is that low flow ratesare hard to achieve and to control; syringe pumps work with linearactuation to push the plunger of a syringe and, in order to reduce flowrates, the syringe volumes need to be reduced. It is difficult to getthe samples through the tygon tubing and into the devices if the syringevolumes are smaller than the volumes of the access tubing. The advantageof this approach is that total flow through the system can be accuratelyset.

In another approach, we have developed a pressure system that controlsthe pressure of each individual inlet and outlet. It is fed by an airpump that distributes pressured air to 0-30 psi pressure regulators (R800, Airtrol, WI) attached to individual pressure gauges. Pressure isfed into the top of sealed containers containing liquid samples to pushout the liquid into the device through tygon tubing. This pressuresystem controls the liquid flow inside the devices by setting thepressure difference between inlets and outlets. The pressure controllerscan be operated at around 5 psi at the outlet channels, which results inbetter control over pressure differences. With this approach we canachieve flows of below 0.1 μm/sec in 25 μm×25 μm channels. This cannotbe achieved with syringe pumps. This capability is especially importantwhen studying in detail the behavior of magnetic particles in dropletsunder the influence of static magnetic fields.

The pressure system can be linked to a computer and computer controlled,in which case the system can include stepper motors attached to eachpressure regulator. These are interfaced with computer controlledstepper motor controllers and can be interfaced with image processingsoftware (e.g., IPLab).

Sampling and Quality Control:

To extract a certain number of droplets for sampling during the courseof a reaction, droplets can be deflected into a channel for collection(see FIG. 8 and Baret et al., Lab on a Chip, 2009). For example,dielectrophoresis can be used to deflect aqueous droplets from onechannel to another. Details of making and connecting the electrodes aregiven in Example 3. Image processing can be used to control the voltagesupply to extract the desired number of droplets for analysis.

RT-PCR:

Recently, it has been shown that quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR) and reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) can be performed in pLdroplets (Beer et al., Anal. Chem. 79(22):8471-8475, 2007 and Beer etal., Anal. Chem 80(6):1854-1858, 2008). It has also been shown that,when using droplet microfluidics, qPCR can be performed in a continuousway (Kiss et al., Anal. Chem., 2008 and Schaerli et al., Anal. Chem.81(1):302-306, 2009) by using a long serpentine channel shuttlingdroplets between two different temperatures for denaturation, extension,and relaxation steps. These processes can be carried out in the presentdevices to amplify nucleic acids from single cells. Accordingly, themicrofluidic device of the present invention can include a serpentinechannel that shuttles droplets between different temperature zones.

The droplets containing magnetic beads with hybridized mRNA and RT-PCRmix can be injected on one side and flown through a temperature zone of42-50° C. to synthesize the first cDNA strand using a reversetranscriptase (this process takes about 15 minutes). Then the dropletswill undergo a 35 step PCR reaction. The reverse transcriptase isirreversibly inactivated by the first pass through the 95° C. zone.Observation points can be inserted at every other PCR repeat (67° C.zone) to measure SYBR green fluorescence to determine the amount ofamplification product.

The flow rate through the device is given by the timing of the PCRreaction. The denaturation step can be carried out at 95° C. for 15seconds and an elongation, relaxation step can be carried out at 67° C.for 40 seconds. Taking into account the dimensions of the chip, a flowspeed of 2 mm/sec is necessary.

The mRNA extraction and concentrating steps may dictate flow rates thatare orders of magnitude lower than the flow rates required by the RT-PCRstep. To help reconcile these rates, one can inject more sheath liquid(e.g., oil) into the flow and therefore speed up the droplets. As notedabove, isolating the analyte and performing other steps, such as PCR,can also be carried out in two separate devices.

To help ensure that the mRNA is not degraded by RNases, all buffers canbe prepared RNAse free (e.g., by treating water with 0.1%diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) with subsequent autoclaving).

Temperature control can be achieved by using several Watlow SD31temperature controllers (Watlow) attached to PDMS embedded 1 mm×1 mmRTDs (Omega) and custom flexible silicon strip heaters (Watlow) that arebonded to the bottom of the cover glass. For RT-PCR, a section of thedevice is heated to 37° C. (for first strand c-DNA synthesis) and to 95°C. and 65° C. in sections for the qPCR section. The temperaturedistribution can be verified using Rhodamine-B life time measurements(see Schaerli et al., Anal. Chem. 81(1):302-306, 2009).

Designated Zones:

The present devices can be described as having zones in which differentevents occur or different reactions are carried out. For example, wherethe analyte is a biomolecule, the device can include: (1) a first zonein which single cells are placed in droplets (e.g., aqueous droplets)and lysed, thereby generating a cell lysate; (2) a second zone in whichfunctionalized particles are added to the cell lysate, therebygenerating particle-associated mRNA; (3) a third zone in which theparticle-associated mRNA is separated from the majority of the remainderof the cell lysate; (4) a fourth zone in which the particle-associatedmRNA is reverse transcribed into cDNA; and (5) a fifth zone in which thecDNA is amplified with sequence-specific primers.

In this configuration, the channels within at least the first threezones can be configured as described herein to isolate an analyte bysplitting a droplet in which it is marginally contained at a Y- or Tjunction and to subsequently redilute the isolated analyte with bufferor another material by allowing the droplet containing the isolatedanalyte to fuse or coalesce with a droplet containing the buffer orother material. PCR can be performed within the device by flowing thedroplets through relatively long serpentines that shuttle between twotemperature zones (e.g., 95° C. and 67° C.). The amplification can bemonitored and ultimately assessed by examining a fluorescent signal.

While there are advantages to performing as many steps as possiblewithin the same device, other alternatives are possible. For example,after polymerization of the first strand of cDNA (e.g., at 42-50° for 30minutes), after which the chemical composition within the droplets ismore stable, it is possible to collect the droplets (e.g., severalthousand droplets) in a container (e.g., an Eppendorf tube). Thecollected droplets can then be placed in a thermal cycler for PCR,beginning with a hot start (e.g., 95° C. for 15 minutes) to deactivatethe reverse transcriptase). After the PCR has been performed, thereaction mixture (initially formed by the collected droplets) can bereintroduced into an analysis droplet microfluidic chip that willmeasure the fluorescence of each drop. With this procedure, usingmolecular beacons as fluorescent probes, gene expression of severalgenes can be measured simultaneously.

In corresponding methods, the invention features processes for isolatingand analyzing a biomolecule. The methods can include the steps of: (1)providing a single cell within a droplet (e.g., an aqueous droplet andlysing the cell, thereby generating a cell lysate; (2) exposing the celllysate to a functionalized particle for a time and under conditionssufficient to permit the biomolecule (e.g., an mRNA or microRNA) tobecome associated with the particle; and (3) separating theparticle-associated biomolecule from the cell lysate. Where thebiomolecule is an mRNA (or microRNA), the methods can further includethe steps of performing reverse transcription to produce cDNA from themRNA (or microRNA) and amplifying the cDNA with sequence-specificprimers. The cDNA can then be transferred to a sequencer or quantitatedto determine the expression level of the mRNA (or microRNA).

Kits:

Microfluidic devices with one or more of the features described herein,including devices configured to generate cDNA libraries from, forexample, single biological cells, can be packaged together withinstructions for use as a kit. Accordingly, the invention features suchkits, including those limited to essentially, the device, instructionsfor use, and packaging, as well as those that include one or more of thefollowing items: (a) a fluid for encapsulating a sample comprising ananalyte in a droplet (which may be aqueous or non-aqueous); (b) a fluidfor sheathing the droplet (which may be aqueous or non-aqueous); (c) alysis buffer; (d) a functionalized particle; (e) a dilution buffer; and(f) a solution comprising a reagent. As noted, the device can be anydevice described herein, including those that further include amicrochannel for encapsulating a single cell comprising an analyte in adroplet and/or a field generator. Where the fluid for encapsuling thesample is aquous, the fluid for ensheathing the droplet can benon-aqueous, and vice versa. The functionalized particles included withthe kit can include a microsphere or nanotube assembly, and a tag for anucleic acid (e.g., an oligo(dT) tag or an oligonucleotide that issufficiently complementary to the sequence of an RNA (e.g., an mRNA ormicroRNA) to specifically bind the RNA) or protein (e.g., an antibody orother protein scaffold) can also be included. Optional reagents includeenzymes (e.g., a reverse transcriptase or a polymerase). The reagentscan also be any other enzyme, substance, or buffer useful in carryingout PCR (e.g., an oligonucleotide primer).

In the Examples below, we describe additional techniques to concentrate,extract and process functionalized particles in droplet microfluidicsdevices.

EXAMPLES Example 1

As noted, the microfluidic devices of the present invention can befabricated using standard techniques (e.g., standard soft-lithographytechniques). By way of example, we cleaned a 3″ silicon wafer in RCA1and RCA2 to remove, respectively, essentially all organic and inorganicresidues, and subsequently dehydrated the wafer at 200° C. for 15minutes to fully dry it. A 25 μm layer of SU-8 (Microchem) was cast onthe silicon wafer by spin coating the resist at 3500 rpm for 30 seconds(Laurell). The wafer was then baked for 10 minutes at 60° C., 80° C.,and 95° C., consecutively, to fully cure the SU-8. The wafers wereexposed to UV light (Newport) through a photolithography mask containingthe desired channel geometry (CAD/Art Services) and subsequentlydeveloped in SU-8 developer (Microchem). To clean the wafer and stop thedeveloping process, it was dipped in isopropyl alcohol, rinsed with DIwater, and blown dry with argon gas. The wafer was then hard baked for 5minutes at 200° C. to further strengthen the channels. The completedwafer was silanized by placing it next to a drop of tridecafluoro-1 1 22-tetrahydrooctyl-1-trichlorosilane on a glass petri dish in adessicator that was evacuated for two hours.

To form the chip itself, a 10:1 (w/w) mixture of poly(dimethylsiloxane)(PDMS) to cross linker (Sylgard 184) was mixed and poured over the wafercontaining the SU-8 mold. The chip was subsequently degassed in adessicator for one hour and cured at 95° C. for one hour.

Once cured, the chip was peeled from the wafer and cut to size beforeaccess holes were drilled with a 24 gauge steel punch. The accesschannels were subsequently blown with argon gas to remove any PDMSdebris that was left behind. The chip and a new 1″×3″ microscope slidewere cleaned by sonication in three successive solutions: 2% Hellmanex™solution, DI water, and methanol, each for 10 minutes. Both the chip andthe microscope slide were then dried with argon and placed in a plasmacleaner which was evacuated for 10 minutes to ensure full dehydration ofthe chip and glass. The chip and slide were subsequently exposed tooxygen plasma at 1 torr for 1 minute (Harrick Plasma PDC 326) andimmediately bonded. The completed device was placed on a hotplate at 70°C. for 10 minutes to remove any trapped air bubbles and to ensurecomplete bonding of the PDMS to the glass.

In order to make the channels fully hydrophobic and ensure that thewalls were wet only with the sheath fluid, the channels were treatedwith a 2% silane(Helptadecafluoro-1,1,2,2-tetrahydrodecyl)trichlorosilane from Gelest)solution in fluorinated oil (FC 40) and subsequently flushed withcopious amounts of pure fluorinated oil to ensure removal of excesssilane residue. The silane solution and fluorinated oils were pushedthrough the microfluidics devices using a 1 ml glass syringe withvolumes of 20 μL and 200 μL respectively.

The droplet manipulation experiments performed employed two distinctmicrofluidics chips used for droplet formation and bead concentrationand droplet fission respectively. The droplets containing magnetic beadswere created using a microfluidics chip containing a simple flowfocusing geometry. In order to maintain consistent bead concentrations,a small volume of mixed bead solution (50 μL) was aspirated into alength of 24 gauge Teflon® tubing. This tubing was connected to asyringe containing HFE 7500 (3M), a fluorinated oil, which did not mixwith the magnetic bead solution. This syringe was subsequently pushedvia an automatic syringe pump, thus injecting the magnetic bead solutioninto the microfluidics chip at a constant volumetric flow rate. The flowrate for the magnetic bead solution was set to 5 μL/min whereas thesheath liquid was set at 10 μL/min. In this case, the sheath liquid wasa fluorinated oil, HFE 7500 containing 2% EA surfactant (RaindanceTechnologies). With these conditions, it took roughly 10 minutes tochange all of the 50 μL of magnetic bead solution into 50 μm diameter,monodisperse droplets. This droplet formation was completed withmagnetic bead solution concentrations of 5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml.

The droplets containing the magnetic bead solution were subsequentlycollected from the outlet of the droplet formation chip and re-aspiratedinto another length of Teflon® tubing for re-injection into the magneticmanipulation and droplet fission chip. The droplets were also pushedwith an automatic syringe pump with fluorinated oil as a sheath liquidto control the frequency of the droplets entering the chip. Idealdroplet entry conditions were established with volumetric flow rates of0.030 μL and 0.015 μL for the sheath liquid and the droplet solutionrespectively.

For the magnetic manipulation chip, the magnetic field was establishedby placing rare earth magnets directly adjacent to the microfluidicchannels just at the point of bifurcation where the droplets split. Inthis case, the magnets were placed by manually cutting ports in the PDMSchips roughly 1.5 mm from the main channel.

As these droplet plugs advanced downstream, the beads began to enterstronger magnetic field gradients. Initially the beads began toconglomerate forming large groupings as opposed to remaining dispersedindividually throughout the droplet. These conglomerations of beadssubsequently began to align with the magnetic field lines until therewere no individual beads remaining in the droplet. Once fullyconglomerated, the bead groupings migrated towards the magnet andultimately became concentrated essentially completely on one side of thedroplet. Once concentrated, these beads were split at a Y junction withone channel having a diameter of 40 μm and the other a diameter of 10μm. This unequal division allowed for the formation of droplets withdifferent volumes. By positioning the magnet on the side of the channelwith the smaller Y junction split we were able to isolate essentiallyall of the magnetic beads within a droplet plug into a smaller volumeand split this volume into a more concentrated new droplet. In theabsence of the magnetic field, the droplets split as expected but themagnetic beads showed no clear bias to either of the two Y junctionchannels. With a magnet in place, however, the beads clearly migratedand were thus concentrated into new, smaller droplets.

Example 2

To optimize the extraction of a specific analyte, we strive to maintaina consistent magnetic bead concentration within each droplet. Aconsistent concentration helps to ensure that there will be enough beadsto bind all of the targeted material. It is important that this bindingis consistent for highly sensitive studies, especially those involvinggenetic material from single cells, where a slight alteration inbinding, or a lack of binding, may lead to variations in the integrityof the analysis.

Droplets containing magnetic beads were created using a microfluidicschip containing a simple flow focusing geometry. In order to maintainconsistent bead concentrations, a small volume of mixed bead solution(50 μL) was aspirated into a length of 24 gauge Teflon® tubing. Thistubing was connected to a syringe containing HFE 7500, a fluorinatedoil, which did not mix with the magnetic bead solution. This syringe wassubsequently pushed via an automatic syringe pump, thus injecting themagnetic bead solution into the microfluidics chip at a constantvolumetric flow rate. The flow rate for the magnetic bead solution wasset to 5 μL/min whereas the sheath liquid, HFE 7500, was set at 10μL/min. With these conditions it took roughly 10 minutes to change allof the 50 μL of magnetic bead solution into 50 μm diameter, monodispersedroplets. This droplet formation was completed with magnetic beadsolution concentrations of 5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml.

In order to verify the magnetic bead concentration within thesedroplets, a test volume of roughly 5 μL of the droplets was placedbetween two cover slips such that the droplets were flattened and all ofthe beads were visible in one focus plane. With images collected with amicroscope-mounted camera, it was then possible to analyze the beadswithin the droplets. The number of beads within each droplet wasmeasured using the particle analyzer function of Image-J. Droplets fromboth the 5 mg/ml and 1 mg/ml solutions were analyzed in such a fashion.

Analysis of both the droplets containing a 1 mg/ml solution of magneticbeads and a 5 mg/ml solution revealed fairly normally distributedconcentrations of beads per individual droplet (FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B).The droplets containing the 1 mg/ml solution had a mean bead count of93.17 with a standard deviation of 5.292. This amounts to a coefficientof variation of 0.057 or 5.7%. The droplets containing the 5 mg/mlsolution presented a coefficient of variation of 0.064 or 6.4% based ona mean bead count of 375.61 and a standard deviation of 23.93.

Example 3

The devices and methods of the invention enable the creation ofsingle-cell cDNA libraries that are covalently bound to magneticmicroparticles inside droplets. The whole workflow comprises four stepsthat are depicted in FIG. 6. Throughout this protocol we will use threeindividual microfluidics chips: (1) single-cell encapsulation chip; (2)a droplet reinsertion and fusion chip to dilute the droplet's contentwith a washing buffer; and (3) a magnetic separation chip. Each chip isrun in sequence and the outputs (droplets) are collected in tubes.

Once the cDNA single-cell library is prepared, the mRNAs will bereverse-transcribed by merging the cDNA droplets with dropletscontaining a reverse-transcription (RT) solution (MessageSensor RT-Kit,Ambion). After collection the droplets will be incubated at 42° C. for30 minutes for triggering the cDNA synthesis and at 95° C. for 15minutes to deactivate the reverse transcriptase. We can measure theefficiency of the RT by quantifying the level of specific cDNAs by qPCRafter pooling a specific volume of droplets. The droplet workflow can becompared to the bulk approach.

The final product is a collection of covalently bound single cell cDNAlibraries in individual droplets. Because the library is bound tomagnetic particles, the library can be re-used by amplifying specificcDNAs (selected by PCR primers) using a few PCR cycles (Lee, Analyt.Biochem. 206:206-207, 1992). The cDNA library will be recovered bysimply separating the magnetic beads from the amplified DNA using ourmethod. The separation step will regenerate the initial cDNA librarythat can be re-used. The aqueous cDNA libraries will be subsequentlyused for studying the expression level of specific genes in individualdroplets using quantitative PCR. More complicated schemes can bedesigned in which the identity of the cell is maintained while creatingindividual gene droplets. For example, individual droplets can besequentially stored in an array before performing quantitative-PCR(qPCR) (Boukellal et al., Lab on a Chip, 9:331-338, 2009; Schmitz etal., Lab on a Chip, 9:44-49, 2009).

Another exciting outcome is the identification of genetic signatures orgene profiles in rare cells that lack specific surface markers. Forexample, the present methods can be used to analyze circulating tumorcells (CTCs) that are present in blood at a 1:10⁹ ratio (Stott et al.,Sci. Transl. Med. 2:25ra3, 2010; Maheswaran and Haber, Curr. Opin.Genet. Dev. 20:96-99, 2010). Even with a million fold enrichment usingcollagen adhesion matrix technology (Lu et al., Int. J. Cancer,126:669-683, 2010; Fan et al., Gynecol. Oncol. 112:186-191, 2009; Pariset al., Cancer Lett. 277:164-173, 2009), one is still faced with a lowerthan 1:1000 ratio of rare cells. Our technology can be used to createsingle cell cDNA libraries and such libraries, including those in whichthe cDNA is still attached to a functionalized particle (e.g., amagnetic bead), are within the scope of the present invention. The cellscan be already enriched cells encapsulated in droplets, and the dropletscan be sorted according to the expression of a specific CTC marker gene(e.g., as measured by PCR). After having collected enough cells (e.g.,CTCs), global gene expression methods can be applied (e.g. gene chip, ornext generation sequencing).

What is claimed is: 1.-17. (canceled)
 18. A method of analyzing ananalyte in a sample, the method comprising introducing the sample into amicrofluidic device comprising: (a) a substrate comprising a series ofcontiguous channels and; (b) a field generator, wherein the series ofcontiguous channels comprises a first channel having an initial segmentconfigured to receive a tagged droplet comprising an analyte bound to afunctionalized particle, a middle segment through which the taggeddroplet travels, and a terminal segment that bifurcates into a secondchannel and a third channel, wherein the field generator is positionedadjacent to the first channel and marginalizes the analyte toward a sideof the tagged droplet such that, upon reaching the bifurcation, aportion of the tagged droplet that includes the majority of the analyteenters the second channel and the remainder of the tagged droplet entersthe third channel, thereby producing, in the second channel, a smallerdroplet that contains the majority of the analyte while excluding atleast some of the complex mixture.
 19. A method of manipulating ananalyte within a sample, the method comprising: providing the sample;encapsulating the sample within a droplet comprising a functionalizedparticle, wherein the functionalized particle comprises afield-responsive element and a tag that specifically binds the analyte,thereby generating an analyte-tagged droplet; marginalizing the analyteby exposing the analyte-tagged droplet to a field generator; cleavingthe analyte-tagged droplet so the portion of the tagged droplet thatincludes the majority of the marginalized analyte becomes containedwithin a smaller droplet; and diluting the analyte by fusing the smallerdroplet with a droplet comprising a buffer or reagent, therebygenerating an analyte-diluted droplet.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the analyte-tagged droplet is one of a plurality and the methodis carried out by continuously and rapidly moving the plurality ofdroplets through the channels of a microfluidic device.
 21. The methodof claim 19, wherein the analyte is a biomolecule selected from thegroup consisting of a nucleic acid, a protein, a sugar, and a fat. 22.The method of claim 19, wherein the sample is a single, lysed biologicalcell.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the single, lysed biologicalcell is prepared by: encapsulating a single biological cell in adroplet, thereby generating a cell-containing droplet; and fusing thecell-containing droplet with a droplet comprising a lysis buffer,thereby generating a droplet comprising a single, lysed biological cell.24. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of exposing theanalyte-diluted droplet to a field generator, wherein the fieldgenerator marginalizes the analyte toward a side of the analyte-diluteddroplet; and cleaving the analyte-diluted droplet so the portion of thedilution droplet that includes the majority of the analyte becomescontained within a smaller analyte-diluted droplet.
 25. A kit comprisinginstructions for use, a microfluidic device comprising a plurality ofchannels configured to form junctions for facilitating continuous,serial separation and dilution of an analyte, and one or more of thefollowing items: (a) a fluid for encapsulating a sample comprising theanalyte in a droplet; (b) a fluid for sheathing the droplet; (c) a lysisbuffer; (d) a functionalized particle; (e) a dilution buffer; and (f) asolution comprising a reagent.
 26. The kit of claim 25, wherein thejunctions comprise one or more of a T-shaped, W-shaped, X-shaped, orY-shaped junction.
 27. The kit of claim 25, wherein the microfluidicdevice further comprises a microchannel for encapsulating a single cellcomprising an analyte in a droplet.
 28. The kit of claim 25, wherein themicrofluidic device further comprises a field generator.
 29. The kit ofclaim 25, wherein the fluid for encapsulating the sample is an aqueousfluid and the fluid for sheathing the droplet is a non-aqueous fluid.30. The kit of claim 25, wherein the reagent is an enzyme or a reagentrequired for carrying out PCR.